While I don’t have any data to support my belief, pure coupon settlements, more than any other identifiable factor, seem to have done significant damage to the perception of class actions and the reputation of “class action lawyers.” There isn’t a one-size-fits-all solution to cleaing up class action practice, but class actions could use a significant nip and tuck so that we use class actions only where appropriate. I personally don’t like pure coupon settlements, and, as a class action lawyer, I’ve had the good fortune to work on class actions where money, and not coupons, are obtained for class members.

Finally, I appreciate the link to my blog post. I have more thoughts to post about coupon settlements in the coming days.

Wow… there’s nothing like bankrupting and ruining the life of your own child.

And how is this not personal misadventure for not turning a light on if you couldn’t see?

More: “Unfortunately, two insurance companies were more interested in saving money than they were in seeing a fair result, thus necessitating a two and one-half week trial …” The two (saving money and fair result) are not mutually exclusive. Can’t one be frugal and fair? And, with two insurers I suspect there may be a primary and umbrella homeowner’s policy capable of paying the $2.475M judgment, so the daughter is off scot-free; and I would suspect the daughter was not offering a vigorous defense knowing any judgment is likely fully insured.

And I wonder out loud: who gets the inheritance?